环球时报社评：平常心看待这份“引发震惊”的大学排名

Core Viewpoint - The recent Leiden University ranking reveals a significant rise of Chinese universities, with eight out of the top ten universities being from China, and Zhejiang University taking the top spot, while Harvard University has dropped to third place, sparking widespread attention and discussion [1][2]. Group 1: Chinese Universities' Rise - The ranking reflects the progress of China's education and technology sectors, with Chinese scholars leading in the number of SCI papers published and citations, marking a consistent trend over the years [1][2]. - By 2025, China's R&D expenditure intensity is projected to reach 2.8%, surpassing the OECD average for the first time, indicating a strong commitment to scientific and educational advancement [1]. - The top-ranked Chinese universities are predominantly research-oriented and excel in STEM fields, showcasing China's growing competitiveness in areas such as electronic communications, materials science, and physics [2]. Group 2: Limitations of the Ranking - The Leiden ranking has a clear bias towards research output, reflecting only a part of the overall picture, as other rankings like QS and Times Higher Education still show Western universities dominating the top positions [2]. - Western institutions maintain advantages in areas such as research originality, global talent attraction, and employer recognition, highlighting the need for Chinese universities to improve in comprehensive strength and innovation talent cultivation [2]. Group 3: Historical Context and Global Perspective - In the early 2000s, the Leiden ranking featured seven American universities in the top ten, with Zhejiang University only reaching the top 25, illustrating the rapid advancement of Chinese universities over the past two decades [3]. - The shock expressed by Western media regarding the ranking reflects a broader anxiety about the decline of technological hegemony, rather than a zero-sum narrative of failure for the West [3]. - The progress of Chinese universities is seen as a collective increase in global knowledge creation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over competition in advancing scientific endeavors [3]. Group 4: Future Aspirations - The ranking serves as a mirror reflecting both achievements and areas for improvement, with aspirations for more international students to view Chinese universities as desirable destinations for study [4].